Published: Jul 27, 2017, 01:58 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 27, 2017, 01:59 PM (IST)
India Men registered their highest-ever first-innings score on the Sri Lankan soil, bundling out for 600. Shikhar Dhawan (190) and Cheteshwar (153) added 253 for the second wicket. This was only the second instance when two Indian batters scored over 150 in an innings of an away Test. However, after Dhawan departed, Pujara continued the good work and stitched a 137-run stand with Ajinkya Rahane (57). On a track that garnered plenty runs, pacer Nuwan Pradeep registered his best figures (6 for 132) in First-Class cricket.
After choosing to bat, Dhawan was on the move right away. He was equally nimble with his foot work as he was between the wickets. In the pursuit, he bludgeoned 126 runs in the second session of the opening day, the second-highest by an Indian. Virender Sehwag tops the list with 133 runs against Sri Lanka Men in 2009 at Brabourne Stadium, though that was in the third session.
Dhawan, for that matter, was dropped on 31 by Asela Gunaratne. Diving to his left, Gunaratne ended up fracturing his thumb. He may not play a further part in the series.
Pujara and Rahane then carried the momentum and ended the day’s play at 399 for 3.
On Day Two, Pujara scored his sixth 150-plus score and overall 19th in First-Class cricket. However, Pradeep rocked the visitors right away, picking up his maiden five-wicket haul and reducing India to 503 for 7.
Amid the quick fall of wicket, debutant Hardik Pandya and Mohammad Shami took the Sri Lanka bowlers to cleaners, so much so that Shami collected three sixes off Rangana Herath. The duo added 62 for the ninth wicket.
Hardik went onto to become fifth Indian to score 50 on debut before top-edging a short delivery in the deep.
Brief scores
India 600 all-out (Shikhar Dhawan 190, Cheteshwar Pujara 153; Nuwan Pradeep 6 for 132) vs Sri Lanka.
